Selectively buffered dual stage air bag assembly, and method of using same
First Claim
1. A selectively buffered dual stage air bag assembly, comprising:
- an outer bag member;
an inner bag member disposed within the outer bag member, said inner bag member having a deployed configuration which includes an outer wall with an outwardly facing surface for deployed placement facing toward a passenger compartment of a vehicle, said outer wall of said inner bag having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, which define gas discharge ports for discharging gas from the inner bag member to the outer bag member;
wherein said inner bag member is formed from a substantially inelastic material and wherein said assembly comprises a reinforcing material attached to said outer wall of said inner bag member proximate each of said apertures said reinforcing material being selected from the group consisting of plastic, epoxy, and inserts; and
wherein each of said inserts, where used comprises a collar which passes through an aperture of said inner bag member and which defines a flow channel therethrough.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A selectively buffered dual stage air bag assembly, including an outer bag member, and an inner bag member disposed within the outer bag member. The inner bag member includes an outer wall with an outwardly facing surface for deployed placement facing toward a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The outer wall of the inner bag has a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, which define gas discharge ports for discharging gas from the inner bag member to the outer bag member. The inner bag member outwardly facing surface may be reinforced in the area of the apertures, and may have a porous material disposed across the apertures to affect the rate of gas flow therethrough. Preferably, the inner bag member is made from a non-woven, substantially inelastic material. The present invention further provides a method of using an air bag assembly of the type described.
41 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A selectively buffered dual stage air bag assembly, comprising:
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an outer bag member;
an inner bag member disposed within the outer bag member, said inner bag member having a deployed configuration which includes an outer wall with an outwardly facing surface for deployed placement facing toward a passenger compartment of a vehicle, said outer wall of said inner bag having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, which define gas discharge ports for discharging gas from the inner bag member to the outer bag member;
wherein said inner bag member is formed from a substantially inelastic material and wherein said assembly comprises a reinforcing material attached to said outer wall of said inner bag member proximate each of said apertures said reinforcing material being selected from the group consisting of plastic, epoxy, and inserts; and
wherein each of said inserts, where used comprises a collar which passes through an aperture of said inner bag member and which defines a flow channel therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
a housing;
said air bag assembly being folded and stored within said housing; and
an electronic activator for triggering deployment of said air bag assembly, said electronic activator being in electronic communication with said air bag assembly; and
sensing means for sensing disconnection of said electronic communication between said air bag assembly and said electronic activator, said sensing means being in electronic communication with said electronic activator;
wherein said electronic activator is operable to initiate deployment of said air bag assembly when interruption of electronic communication between said air bag and said electronic activator is sensed by said sensing means.
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9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said reinforcing material is plastic.
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10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said reinforcing material is applied contacting both an inner surface and an outer surface of said inner bag member outer wall.
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11. a method of using an air bag assembly, comprising the steps of:
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inflating an inner bag member, said inner bag member being disposed within an outer bag member, said inner bag member having an outer wall with an inwardly facing surface for deployed placement facing toward a passenger compartment of a vehicle, said outer wall of said inner bag member having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough which define gas discharge ports wherein said assembly comprises a reinforcing material attached to said outer wall of said inner bag member proximate each of said apertures, said reinforcing material being selected from the group consisting of plastic, epoxy, and inserts; and
discharging gas from said inner bag member through said apertures in a direction toward a passenger compartment of a vehicle to inflate said outer bag member. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An electronic theft deterrent system for an air bag, comprising:
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a housing;
an air bag folded and stored within the housing; and
an electronic activator for triggering deployment of said air bag, said electronic activator being in electronic communication with said air bag; and
sensing means for sensing disconnection of said electronic communication between said air bag and said electronic activator, said sensing means being in electronic communication with said electronic activator;
wherein said electronic activator is operable to initiate deployment of said air bag when interruption of electronic communication between said air bag and said electronic activator is sensed by said sensing means. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification